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Kanika Sinha
Kanika Sinha

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Role of a Financial Advisor: What Should You Expect and When is the Right Time for Consultation?

We know you have been making all your life's decisions confidently and independently. Pat your back for that! However, financial planning needs more carefulness, extensive research, and great attention to detail.

Consulting a professional financial advisor is considered a smart move to secure your finances in the future.

*Financial Advisor: Definition and Roles
*

A financial advisor is also known as a wealth manager or a financial consultant. The personnel are responsible for helping businesses and individuals with their investment opportunities and financial planning.
Under the guidance of a financial advisor, you can get assistance on different financial aspects, including insurance, investments, and taxes.

Financial advisors usually provide guidance on their client’s financial needs and goals by meeting them in person. These financial professionals develop a personalized plan for their clients to help them achieve their goals efficiently. Furthermore, they analyze their financial accounts to ensure that their investment planning and economic performance are on the right track.

**What to Expect from a Financial Advisor?
**Financial advisors should do more than just choose the best investment options for their clients.
They also help build a sound financial plan by focusing on your core objectives.

Before you choose services of a professional financial advisor, here are some pointers to consider:

Educate Clients: Wealth advisors can educate their clients about building healthy financial habits to create considerable wealth. They will educate clients about everything, such as determining their financial objectives from educational planning to retirement.

Provide Positive Recommendations: Financial consultants recommend the best financial products and solutions, including life insurance, tax planning, and investment strategies.

Assess Financial Goals: Financial advisors are skilled in determining and analyzing the financial health and goals of their clients to help them develop a robust financial plan.

Provide Advice on Economic Activities: Financial consultants advise their clients on the recent market activities and economic scenarios. Wealth managers are specially trained and certified to provide such advice.
Offer Support During Unexpected Events: Financial advisors help their clients adopt holistic and balanced financial planning strategies to cope with unforeseen situations, such as medical emergencies.

We suggest you compare the services and quotations provided by some of the top financial advisors in India. It will help you make more informed financial decisions.
**Do I Need a Financial Consultant?
**Before hiring a financial consultant, assess your financial situation and health. For instance, you should evaluate your expenses, net worth, and financial objectives. You must also consider which kind of financial services you require based on your financial goals.

We will help you examine your financial health and objectives. Looking at the following four aspects will help you get an in-depth idea of where you stand financially.

**What is Your Net Worth?
**Your net worth is not your net income; rather, it is an amount that can help you analyze what your earnings are, how much you are saving, and where you are spending your money. To calculate your net worth, you should subtract your liabilities from your assets.

Your liabilities are the debts you owe and it includes your credit card bills, your EMIs, and your mortgage payments. On the other hand, your assets may include bank accounts and investments. These are something that you own. A healthy net worth is better than having a negative one.

**How Much Are Your Earnings and Savings?
**Next, you should examine your monthly income and your total expenses. You can do this yourself by maintaining a personal accounts book or an Excel sheet. It will help you understand whether you need to minimize your spending or increase your income opportunities. You can also monitor whether you need to improve your allocations toward your savings and retirement.

**How Much Investment Risk Can You Take?
**If you are bold enough to take new investment risks, do so. However, do proper research before making any investment decisions. Ask yourself whether you are brave when you see turmoil in the stock market or whether you become anxious. Examining your risk tolerance about investments can determine the kind of investment strategy that would suit you.

**What Are Your Financial Objectives?
**Are you planning to retire at 60? Are you dreaming of building your own home someday? It's necessary to work towards your financial goals for healthy money management. Determining your short- and long-term financial goals is key to deciding whether you require a financial consultant.

**When Should You Hire a Financial Advisor?
**We all face unforeseen situations in our lives that require us to make major financial decisions, such as sudden medical expenses, the birth of a child, a second marriage, the purchase of a new home, or the death of a parent. These are the circumstances when we should seek financial advice to make intelligent decisions. Otherwise, we may end up using up our crucial financial reserves or burning a huge hole in our pockets.

Here are some crucial circumstances when you should hire a financial planner.

You need advice on determining your financial goals. This would be beneficial if you plan to retire at 60 or wish to build a home in a few years.

You are confused about how and where to invest your money. Your financial planner would guide you on which investment options are safe and which are risky.

You received a huge sum of money, such as through inheritance, and now you are unsure about how to use your money wisely. Your financial advisor will help you learn the best ways to invest your money and make smart financial choices. For instance, clients will get guidance on whether to use their lump sum amount to invest in a life insurance policy or create an investment account.

You are experiencing a major life event, such as getting married, giving birth to a newborn, pending divorce case, undergoing medical treatment, you are nearing your retirement, etc.

You need support with managing your debts. If you are struggling with debt management, you can seek professional help to ease your financial burdens since your wealth planner will develop a debt payoff strategy for you.

*Conclusion *
In conclusion, financial advisors will help you make smart financial decisions to secure your future. Evaluate your financial health to determine whether you need professional help from a certified wealth manager. Compare the products and solutions offered by the top financial advisors in India to choose the right service to meet your financial goals.

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